Latest news with #LongestDay
Leader Live
28-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Fundraisers abseil down church for Nightingale House Hospice
The event took place at St Chad's Church in Holt on June 7 to raise money for Nightingale House Hospice. A total of 29 supporters took part in the daring descent as part of the hospice's Longest Day, Lasting Care campaign. St Chad's Church, Holt (Image: Nightingale House Hospice) Among them was Dan Groombridge, a long-time hospice supporter who completed the abseil alongside his son. Mr Groombridge said: "I have a huge fear of heights, so this was a massive personal challenge for me. "Apparently, I went very pale at the top. Dan Groombridge, a long-time hospice supporter who completed the abseil alongside his son (Image: Nightingale House Hospice) "But I focused on why I was doing it, to support Nightingale House. "The experience was tough in places, but nothing compared to what patients and families face every day. "The sense of relief and pride when I reached the bottom was incredible. The abseil was to raise money for Nightingale House Hospice (Image: Nightingale House Hospice) "I won't be rushing to do another abseil anytime soon, but I'll definitely continue to support the hospice in other ways." Mr Groombridge's employer, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), has supported Nightingale House for a number of years by encouraging staff to volunteer and fundraise. Peter Weston, a trustee at the hospice, also took part in the challenge. Mr Weston said: "It was a fantastic experience. "The most difficult part was climbing over the barrier at the top, but walking down the wall was surprisingly easy. "There was a great atmosphere and plenty of encouragement from the crowd below. READ MORE: Magnificent seven races on offer for punters at Chester meeting "It's a privilege to support the hospice, not only as a trustee, but through fundraising efforts like this. "The money raised will directly contribute to the incredible care provided by our staff and volunteers, who always put patients and families first." He encouraged others to consider taking on a challenge for the hospice. A total of 29 people took part in the daring descent (Image: Nightingale House Hospice) Mr Weston said: "To anyone thinking about doing a challenge for Nightingale House, just do it. "There's such a strong sense of personal achievement, and every pound raised helps the hospice continue offering high-quality care and support to those who need it most." The Longest Day, Lasting Care campaign marks the hospice's 30th anniversary and aims to raise funds to continue its work supporting people with life-limiting conditions. Supporters can donate via JustGiving at or by texting LONGEST10 or LONGEST20 to 70490 to give £10 or £20 respectively.
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Meet the dentist playing in U.S. Open: 5 Matt Vogt facts
Meet the dentist playing in U.S. Open: 5 Matt Vogt facts "I think this weekend is going to be full of gratitude and hopefully some good golf too." Former Oakmont caddie Matt Vogt is soaking it all in as he prepares to make his U.S. Open debut. — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 9, 2025 Yes, you read that right: there's a full-time dentist playing at the 2025 U.S. Open. This is not a joke. Matt Vogt is teeing off at Oakmont, joining the rest of golf's best players in the world, and we'll see if the amateur can, er, drill (I'll try really hard not to dentist puns throughout this thing) through the field to make the cut at the game's toughest event. But who is this guy and how did a dentist get into the U.S. Open? Let's break it down with five things to know about Vogt as he plays in Oakmont this week: Where is Matt Vogt from? Say hello to the 34-year-old who qualified for the 2025 U.S. Open by shooting back-to-back 68s in Walla Walla, Washington to qualify for this year's major at Oakmont. He grew up in Pittsburgh, which leads us to ... Matt Vogt was a caddie at Oakmont for six years Oakmont is pretty near Pittsburgh, so when he was growing up, he caddied there and played on the course. He then went to Butler University before ... (yes, we're getting to the dentistry part!). What kind of dentist is Matt Vogt? He went to Indiana University School of Dentistry and has a practice in McCordsville, Indiana. Per his bio, he's done all kinds of trainings for different types of procedures. It also says "He is also passionate about competitive amateur golf and regularly competes in tournaments at the local, state, and national levels." What has Matt Vogt said about competing at Oakmont and the U.S. Open? Per Golfweek: "I'm still trying to like soak it all in, but also not get too sentimental about it because it's incredible," Vogt said. "I mean, where we're sitting right now is not far from where I just sat in the caddie yard waiting for people on the range... Even as I just talk about it now, I get sentimental on it." "This place means so much to me." Here's a lot more from him: What was Matt Vogt's reaction when he qualified for the U.S. Open? You should watch this interview: A caddie turned dentist turned U.S. Open competitor! 👏 👏 👏 If you watch one Golf's Longest Day interview, make sure it's this one from Matthew Vogt. — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 3, 2025 Who is Matt Vogt's wife? That would be Hilary, who -- per the Indianapolis Star -- he met "in chemistry class his second week of school" at Butler. They have a daughter together, a 15-month-old named Charlotte.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
U.S. Open qualifying: 50-year-old Justin Hicks ties for medalist in West Palm Beach sectional
Golf's Longest Day needed extra time in West Palm Beach. Nine 36-hole U.S. Open sectional qualifiers were held on June 2 from Florida to New Jersey, and from Maryland to Washington, to fill the final 47 spots in the U.S. Open June 12-15 at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. Of the 744 players began the day with hopes of making the field, only six percent would make it. Advertisement The Florida qualifier at Emerald Lakes in West Palm wasn't over until June 3 and it produced a variety of players who punched their ticket to Oakmont. Justin Hicks of Wellington leads a U.S. Open sectional qualifier at Emerald Lakes in West Palm Beach with play suspended. The round will resume on June 3 at 7:30 a.m. Justin Hicks, 50 years old, tied for medalist honors at 11-under-par 133 with former LSU player and Shreveport, La., resident Philip Barbaree and amateur Frankie Harris of Boca Raton, a junior at South Carolina. Auston Truslow of Fort Lauderdale, who has conditional Korn Ferry Tour status, defeated University of Florida sophomore Luke Poulter in a playoff for the final qualifying spot after both finished at 10-under. Luke Poulter (left), caddying for his father Ian Poulter in the 2022 JP McManus Pro-Am, is tied for third in a U.S. Open sectional qualifier at Emerald Lakes in West Palm Beach, with play suspended because of weather. Hicks, who shot 65-68, has played in three PGA tour events this season and missed the cut in all three. Barbaree, 26, who plays on PGA Tour Americas, birdied eight of his first 13 holes in the second round and shot 64. Harris eagled the par-5 first hole in the second round and didn't make a bogey until No. 18 to finish with a 67. Advertisement Poulter, who eagled the first hole and birdied the next two before play was suspended the night before at 6:10, finished with a bogey-free 65 after play resumed on June 3. Truslow completed a 66 with five of six birdies during one stretch. Blades Brown, a 17-year-old from Nashville who turned pro earlier this year, would have joined the Poulter-Truslow playoff had he not bogeyed his final hole. He beat Thomas Ponder III, an Korn Ferry Tour member who played at Alabama, in a playoff for second alternate. U.S. Open Sectional qualifiers Emerald Lakes Golf Club, West Palm Beach Qualifiers Justin Hicks 65-68–133 Advertisement Philip Barbaree 69-64–133 Frankie Harris (a) 66-67–133 Auston Truslow 68-66–134 Alternates Luke Poulter (a) 69-65–134 Blades Brown 65-70–135 Piedmont Driving Club, Atlanta Mason Howell, 17 and the eighth-ranked player on the American Junior Golf Association, and Big Ten Player of the Year Jackson Buchanan shot lights-out at 18-under 126 to tie for first. Auburn senior Jackson Koivun, who made his PGA Tour debut at The Memorial last week, Florida State sophomore Tyler Weaver, and former University of Georgia player Will Chandler tied for third at 11-under. Qualifiers Mason Howell (a) 63-63—126 Jackson Buchanan 63-63—126 Advertisement Tyler Weaver (a) 66-66—133 Jackson Koivun (a) 69-64—133 Will Chandler 70-63—133 Alternates Hayden Buckley 68-66—134 Steven Fisk 66-68—134 Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, N.J. Korn Ferry Tour member James Nicholas, a Yale graduate, won by one shot over PGA Tour player Chris Gotterup and Korn Ferry Tour member Roberto Diaz. Qualifiers James Nicholas 67-68—135 Chris Gotterup 71-65—136 Roberto Diaz 65-71—136 Benjamin James (a) 67-70—137 Alternates Max Theodorakis 71-67—138 Garrett Engle (a) 69-69—138 Duke University Golf Club, Durham, N.C. Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach had three birdies on the front nine of his first round, but made only one more birdie over the final 27 holes and is the first alternate at 138. Chandler Blanchet of Jacksonville, a Korn Ferry Tour member, notched one of the final spots by closing with five pars in a row. Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach is the first alternate for the U.S. Open out of a sectional qualifier at Duke University. Qualifiers Zach Bauchou 71-64—135 Advertisement Alistair Docherty 72-64—136 Alvaro Ortiz 73-63—136 Emilio Gonzalez 69-67—136 Trent Phillips 70-67—137 George Kneiser 69-68—137 Chandler Blanchet 68-69—137 Alternates Miles Russell (a) 68-70—138 Webb Simpson 72-66—138 Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club, Columbus, Ohio Cameron Young made a birdie on the first playoff hole to win a 5-for-1 playoff to knock out Chase Johnson, Eric Cole, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler. Jacksonville product and Palm Beach Gardens resident Bud Cauley finished second to reach his first U.S. Open and Ponte Vedra Beach resident Lanto Griffin finished third to qualify for his fifth. Qualifiers Erik Van Rooyen 64-67—131 Advertisement Bud Cauley 69-68—137 Lanto Griffin 69-68—136 Justin Lower 68-69—137 Harrison Ott 67-71—138 Cameron Young 71-68—139 Alternates Chase Johnson 68-71—139 Eric Cole 70-69—139 Lambton Golf & Country Club, York, Ontario, Canada Vince Covello of Ponte Vedra Beach (144) and Tyler Mawhinney of Orange Park (145) failed to qualify. PGA Tour member Kevin Velo, who has made only three of 13 cuts this season, is the medalist. Qualifiers Kevin Velo 65-67—132 Niklas Norgaard 64-69—133 Matt Wallace 67-66—133 Thorbjorn Olesen 67-67—134 Mark Hubbard 64-70—134 Victor Perez 66-67—134 Emiliano Grillo 69-65—134 Alternates Takumi Kanaya 69-66--135 Advertisement Max McGreevy 66-69—135 Springfield Country Club, Springfield, Ohio Zac Blair beat Kurt Kitayama, Dawson Armstrong of Jacksonville and amateur John Peterson in a 4-for-1 playoff for the final qualifying spot. Qualifiers Grant Haefner 68-65—133 George Duangmanee 68-67—135 Maxwell Moldovan 69-66—135 Zac Blair 68-68—136 Alternates John Peterson (a) 69-67—136 Kurt Kitayama 68-68—136 Valencia Country Club, Valencia, Calif. Preston Summerhays, an Arizona State senior, birdied six of nine holes and five in a row in his second round. Qualifiers Preston Summerhays (a) 69-63—132 Riley Lewis 71-64—135 Zachery Pollo (a) 65-71—136 Advertisement Alternates Lucas Carper 70-68—138 Matthew Sutherland 69-70–139 Wine Valley Golf Club, Walla Walla, Wash. Medalist Matt Vogt is a former caddie at Oakmont and now is a dentist in Indiana. He is from Cranberry Township, Pa., 26 miles from Oakmont. Qualifiers Matt Vogt (a) 68-68—136 Brady Calkins 68-69—137 Alternates Spencer Tibbits 69-69—138 Clark Sonnenberg (a) 70-68—138 Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Md. Ryan McCormick, a Korn Ferry Tour member, had 11 birdies and only one bogey in 36 holes to easily win the qualifier. Qualifiers Ryan McCormick 66-66—132 Trevor Cone 69-68—137 Bryan Lee (a) 70-69—139 Marc Leishman 70-69—139 Advertisement Alternates Sebastian Munoz 71-68—139 Peter Uihlein 73-67—140 Bent Tree Country Club, Dallas (May 19) Qualifiers Rasmus Neergaard Petersen 66-65—131 James Hahn 66-66—132 Adam Schenk 64-68—132 Lance Simpson (a) 79-65—134 Cameron Tankersley (a) 68-66—134 Carlos Ortiz 66-68—134 Johnny Keefer 66-69—135 Alternates Doug Ghim 69-66—135 Cameron Tringale 69-66—135 Tarao Country Club, Shiga, Japan (May 19) Qualifiers Yuta Sugiura 68-66—134 Scott Vincent 67-67—134 Jinichiro Kozuma 68-67—135 Alternates Riki Kawamoto 67-68—135 Taichi Kho 64-71—135 Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey, England (May 19) Jordan Smith 64-70—134 Frederic Lacroix 67-68—135 Advertisement Joakim Lagergren 69-66—135 Guido Migliozzi 68-67—135 Sam Bairstow 70-66—136 Jacques Kruyswijk 66-71—137 Edoardo Molinari 66-71—137 Andrea Pavan 70-67—137 Matthew Jordan 63-74—137 Robin Williams 68-69—137 Alternates Ryan Lumsden 66-71—137 Björn Åkesson 72-66—138 This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: U.S. Open qualifying: Justin Hicks, 50, ties for first in West Palm Beach
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OFA to host Alzheimer's Association's ‘Longest Day'
OSWEGO. N.Y. (WSYR-TV)– The Oswego County Office for the Aging (OFA) invites you to join the 'Longest Day' event organized by the Alzheimer's Association to raise awareness for care and support for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. The annual event starts at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the Oswego Farmers' Market on West First Street. The event will include walking the 'Healthy Mile' around the bridges at 5:30 p.m. Before the walk, volunteers will be at the purple table during the Oswego Farmers' Market to take photos and discuss the meaning of the 'Longest Day'. 'This event is held each year to honor the strength, heart, and endurance of people living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia and their caregivers,' said Oswego County OFA Coordinator of Caregiver Services Elizabeth Weimer. 'We encourage people to wear purple, the color of the Alzheimer's Association, to show their love and support.' The event will be held rain or shine. It will only be canceled if the Oswego Farmers' Market is also called off. Elizabeth Weimer can be contacted with questions at 315-349-3570 or Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Khaleej Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE-based Thorbjorn Olesen powers through epic qualifier to punch U.S. Open ticket
Grit, heartbreak, and the odd twist of fate were on full display Monday as golf's 'Longest Day' lived up to its billing. Across 10 sites and 47 available spots, players from all walks of life and countries including the UAE-based Dane Thorbjorn Olsen earned his ticket in Canada, where seven spots were available due to the PGA Tour's concurrent presence. The Danish golfer resides in Dubai with his family, having moved here around 2023. He has expressed that living in the UAE allows him to spend more time with his family and significantly improve his game. Other qualifiers included a 17-year-old high schooler and even a practising dentist - who secured their place in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh. But one thing was clear: Monday may have been the "Longest Day in Golf," but for many, it was also the most unforgettable. New Yorker Cameron Young was the headline act in Ohio, making a stirring late charge that saw him birdie three of his last four holes to sneak into a brutal 5-for-1 playoff. With nerves of steel, he drained a 12-foot birdie putt to clinch his berth in golf's ultimate examination. 'I feel like I showed myself something today,' Young reflected. 'For so long today I saw nothing go in. I started my day here 12 hours ago and made a 3, so I tried to do it again,' he added. A gruelling Road for Homa Meanwhile, Californian native Max Homa endured a punishing 38 holes lugging his own bag around the course after recently parting ways with his caddie. Fatigue took its toll, and a costly three-putt on his final hole sent him into a playoff rather than through safely. Despite a valiant effort, he fell short of automatic qualification and walked off with only a shot at an alternate spot. Rickie Fowler, who is known for his dynamic playing style and vibrant personality, also came up short, his campaign undone by a bogey when it mattered most. In brighter news for fans of consistency, South African Erik van Rooyen put in one of the day's cleanest performances, carding a 64 at Kinsale and cruising through six shots clear of the cut line. Bud Cauley, Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower, and Harrison Ott joined him among the qualifiers. A Young Star Emerges There were also moments of youthful brilliance. In Atlanta, 17-year-old Mason Howell delivered a blemish-free performance over 36 holes, finishing at 18-under-par to lead the field. Joining him were Auburn standout Jackson Koivun and Florida State's Tyler Weaver- evidence that the future of American golf is in good hands. Howell's feat was all the more striking considering the sheer pressure of the day and the elite company he kept. Dentist Turned Dreamer Across the country in Walla Walla, Washington, Matt Vogt turned heads with a story straight from a movie script. Now a practising dentist and oral surgeon based in Indianapolis, Vogt balances his professional career with competitive amateur golf, the Indiana native secured his own fairytale return - this time as a player at the U.S. Open. In North Carolina, Zach Bauchou led the field, adding another chapter to his growing resume. A former college roommate of Viktor Hovland, Bauchou had the Norwegian star on his bag during a past qualifier. LIV Players Fight for Places In Maryland, 15 LIV Golf players originally entered the field, but only one - Marc Leishman - made it through. Leishman edged out fellow LIV member Sebastian Munoz, booking a long-awaited return to major competition. Many others either failed to submit cards or withdrew before play began, including Bubba Watson and Lee Westwood. In Florida, heavy rain forced a suspension of play, delaying the fate of several hopefuls. Meanwhile, the final result in Columbus hinged on Bud Cauley's world ranking should he remain inside the top 60, Chase Johnson could get a call-up to his first-ever U.S. Open, after narrowly missing out but winning the playoff for alternate spots.
